What it's like to build your own home

January 1, 2021 by Mark

Building your own home can be the most exciting and liberating experience of your life, or it can be the biggest headache you’ve ever had. Regardless of which end of the spectrum you fall on, there are always lessons to be learned from your unique experience. Here’s what it was like for me, as an architect, to build my own modern home – from start to finish – with 100% custom design work and 100% custom execution.

Building a House

It was a big decision, and my wife and I were nervous about getting things right. As with any big undertaking, we knew there were risks involved: The building might not be finished on time, or worse—it might not be finished at all. Luckily for us, we followed these 10 commandments for building a house from scratch. And even more lucky is that our next home will be built from scratch again!

One of my favorite parts of building our new house was working with our architect. Since we were designing a modern house, we wanted someone who could help us capture and convey that feeling in our plans. Every detail matters—from light fixtures and appliances to cabinetry design—so choosing an experienced professional is essential. Some architects are well versed in a variety of styles, but most specialize in one or two.

Material Options

When building a new home, you’ll have many choices regarding which materials to use. Keep in mind that using modern materials can help you reduce ongoing energy costs and increase energy efficiency. For example, if you choose stone for interior walls or exterior siding, thermal conductivity will help insulate your space from heat-loss in winter and keep cool air inside during summer months.

Modern homes are built with energy efficiency in mind, but there are a few features that builders can use to make houses more eco-friendly and cost effective. High-performance windows, solar hot water systems, tankless water heaters—all of these things can help reduce household consumption of resources and save homeowners a significant amount of money over time. If you’re planning on building your own house, consider including some of these green technologies in its design.

7 Modern Interior Design Trends in Homebuilding

January 1, 2021 by Mark

If you’re getting ready to construct or remodel your home, it’s important to keep up with the latest trends in interior design. Not only will this keep your home looking fresh and beautiful over time, but it can also increase the value of your property. These 7 modern interior design trends in homebuilding will help ensure that you create a timeless home that’s appropriate for any interior design style or decade.

Minimalism

Minimalism is a design philosophy that prioritizes aesthetics over everything else. Minimalist interior design often involves bringing attention to natural materials and keeping embellishments to a minimum. Floors can be a good example of minimalist design: wood or concrete surfaces create a clean, contemporary look that complements minimalist furniture and accessories.

Contemporary Interiors

When it comes to home building, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all plan. The best designs take into account what makes each homeowner unique: his or her hobbies, daily activities, family structure—even dietary restrictions and sleep schedules. That’s why it’s important to work with a design professional who can guide you through a process that lets you know exactly how your home will fit into your day-to-day life.

Functional Spaces

Modern homebuilders are rethinking how we use space to suit modern lifestyles. Recent trends show a growing demand for roomy kitchens, cozy living rooms, and unique dining spaces that have been carefully designed to inspire long-term connection with friends and family. Here are seven interior design trends you’ll find in modern homes today